Reversible power clutch



Jan. 23, 1940. c. A. BARBER REVERSIBLE POWER CLUTCH Filed Oct. 14, 1957Patented Jan. 23, 1940 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a clutch for use in the transmission of powerfrom oil, gas or gasoline engines to well-drilling or other machinery,especially where it is necessary to reverse the power often andsuddenly.

The prime object is to provide such a structure as will enable theoperator to run the Inachinery in reverse with the same speed and poweras in the forward motion with minimum silence )n and maximum efficiency.

The more specific objects and advantages will ,become apparent from `aconsideration `of the description following taken in connection withaccompanying drawing illustrating an operative I5 embodiment.

In said drawing:

The view is in horizontal section.

Referring ,specically to the drawing, I0 designates a suitable frame orsupport in the opposite ends of which bearings are provided in which ashaft I2 is removably journaled as at I3. A driven pulley I3 is keyed toshaft I2, preferably driving a belt.

Clutch drums or pulleys I4 are keyed to the shaft I2 and coacting witheach of them are `clutch arms I5. Said clutch larms are fixed on sleevesI6 which are journaled on the shaft I2 and which are independent of eachother. Keyed to each sleeve I6 at the inner end is a gear wheel I1,which may be of the spiral tooth, ring o type, or otherwise, asprefered. A suitable bearing block structure I8 for shaft I 2 isdisposed between the gears II. A casing I9 surrounds the gears I'I andis constructed in a manner permitting ready inspection and adjustment ofthe gears.

Said casing I9 has a jack shaft 2| journaled therein, which is driven bythe motor, engine or other operating power. An intermediate gear wheel22 of the same type as gear wheels I1 is disposed between them and inmesh with each of them sothat jack shaft 2| and pinion 22 drive gearwheel Il in opposite directions. I'he casing I9 is preferably filledwith grease so that the gears will be constantly and effectivelylubrishown at 2l, being a rigid structure generally of U-shape in planand having rigid rings 28 or yokes loosely and removably secured inannular grooves 29 in said collars. An operating lever 21a, pivoted at2lb, may be connected to said rod 6 21 by a pin and elongated slotconnection 2Ic.

In order to brake the action of the pulleys or drums I4, brake bands 28aof leather or any other preferred material may be disposed over the rim23 of each of them, such bands being anchored l0 as at 29a to the frameor support I0 and connected asat 3B to depressible levers 3| pivoted at32 to said frame or support I0.

It will be realized that the parts are normally in the position ofFigure 3, wherein all clutch l5 arms I5 are in a neutral position, thatis disengaged from the rims of the pulleys or heads I4. With powerapplied to the shaft 2|, shaft I2 and pulley I3 are driven. In order todrive the shaft I2 and pulley I3 in one direction, the rod 20 21 ispushed to the right which slides the right hand collar 26 to the right,moving the rods 24 connected thereto outwardly and springing the arms I5into frictional braking contact with the adjacent drum I4. In drivingthe shaft I2 and 25 pulley I3 in the opposite direction, the rod 21 ispushed to the left, thereby and in a similar manner, sliding the collar2B and operating the rods 24 and clutch arms I5, causing the othersleeve I 6 and gear I'I to rotate in the opposite direction. 30 It willbe seen that the parts tend to disengage one set of clutch arms as theother set of clutch arms is applied.

Suitable, preferably adjustable bearings may be provided between thegears I1 and the casing 35 I9 as at 33.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spiritand scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention: 40

l. A clutch structure having a driving shaft,

a gear wheel thereon, a driven shaft having drums thereon, gear wheelsmeshing with and driven by the first gear wheel, sleeves rotatable onsaid driven shaft each carrying one of the second 45 mentioned gearwheels, a selectively operable clutch part for each drum fastened on theassociated sleeve, manually engageable operating means for the clutchparts to apply one as the other is released, said operating meansincluding collars, one collar being located and slidable on each sleevebetween the clutch part thereon and the adjacent second mentioned gearwheel.

2. A clutch structure having a driving shaft, a gear wheel thereon, adriven shaft having drums l.,

thereon, gear wheels meshing with and driven by thev rst gear wheel,sleeves rotatable on said driven shaft each carrying one of the second.mentioned gear Wheels, a selectively operable clutch part for each drumfastened on the associated sleeve, operating means for the clutch partsincluding collars, one collar being located and slidable on each sleevebetween the clutch part thereon and the adjacent second mentioned gearwheel, and means connected to both collars to simultaneously operatethem whereby one clutch part will be applied as the other clutch part isreleased.

CLARENCE A. BARBER.

